Laudato Si’ and the Environment: Pope Francis’ Green Encyclical (Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies)

This volume is a response to Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical Laudato Si’ . Published in 2015, the encyclical urges us to face up to the crisis of climate change and to take better care of the Earth, our common home, while also attending to the plight of the poor. In this book the Pope’s invitation to all people to begin a new dialogue about these matters is considered from a variety of perspectives by an international and multidisciplinary team of leading scholars. There is discussion of the implications of Laudato Si’ for immigration, population control, eating animals, and property ownership. Additionally, indigenous religious perspectives, development and environmental protection, and the implementation of the ideas of the encyclical within the Church are explored. Some chapters deal with scriptural or philosophical aspects of the encyclical. Others focus on central concepts, such as interconnectedness, the role of practice, and what Pope Francis calls the "technocratic paradigm." This book expertly illuminates the relationship between Laudato Si’ and environmental concerns. It will be of deep interest to anyone studying religion and the environment, environmental ethics, Catholic theology, or environmental thought. "This volume is a response to the Pope's Laudato Si', giving an interdisciplinary overview of its impact on the environmental concerns of Catholics as well as other religious groups. Published in 2015, it is often seen as an "environmental" encyclical and in it the Pope urges us to face up to the crisis of climate change. He argues that all of us should prioritise taking better care of the Earth, our common home, while also attending to the plight of the poor. Written by an international and multidisciplinary team of leading scholars, the Pope's invitation to all people to begin a new dialog about these matters is considered from a variety of perspectives. There is discussion of the implications for immigration, population control, eating animals, and property ownership. Additionally, indigenous religious perspectives, development and environmental protection, and the implementation of the ideas of the encyclical in the Church are explored. Each chapter deals with the scriptural, theological, and philosophical underpinnings of the encyclical, as well as other central concepts such as interconnectedness, the role of practice, and what Pope Francis calls the "technocratic paradigm". This book expertly illuminates the relationship between Laudato Si' and environmental concerns. It will, therefore, be vital reading for anyone studying religion and the environment, environmental ethics, Catholic theology, and environmental thought"-- Provided by publisher, Page 1 Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of contributors PART 1 Introduction 1 The challenge and the opportunity: some perspectives on Laudato Si’ PART 2 Implementation 2 Laudato Si’ and private property 3 Reading Laudato Si’ in a rainforest country: ecological conversion and recognition of indigenous religions 4 The cry of the earth and the cry of the poor 5 Laudato Si’ and population 6 Rethinking our treatment of animals in light of Laudato Si’ 7 “We were nowhere. We’ve got somewhere.” Does Laudato Si’ go far enough, and is the Church on board for the climate journey? PART 3 Scriptural, theological and philosophical aspects 8 Laudato Si’ and the reinterpretation of Scriptures in light of the ecological crisis 9 Sources of authority in Laudato Si’ 10 A constructivist engagement with Laudato Si’ PART 4 Central concepts 11 A new anthropology? Laudato Si’ and the question of interconnectedness 12 “Realities are more important than ideas”: the significance of practice in Laudato Si ’ 13 Opposing the “technocratic paradigm” and “appreciating the small things” Index